Ransomware – 6 steps to protect yourself from ransomware attacks
Ransomware, or malicious software designed to steal data by blocking some or all of the functionality of the operating system on the victim's device, has been one of the most popular cyber threats for many years.
Data security is paramount these days, so it's important to know what preventative measures to implement to effectively protect yourself. Here are 6 effective preventative methods that will protect you from system lockups or data encryption.
1. Ransomware Protection - Verifying Backup Procedures
Companies often believe that cloud backups are sufficient to protect against ransomware attacks. However, not everyone realizes that having verified backup and recovery procedures is equally important. This is especially important when a company stores sensitive data, such as customer data.
It's worth familiarizing yourself with the so-called 3-2-1 rule, which states that at least three backup copies should be kept, at least two on different storage media, and at least one should be isolated. A good rule of thumb is that the isolated copy should be an "offline" copy.
2. Ransomware Protection - Regular Software Updates
Remember that no computer software is 100% leak-proof. Every system has vulnerabilities that expose your business to attacks. However, software developers, such as Veeam, respond to their exploitation by creating updates that enhance security.
Regular updates are crucial, especially for internet-accessible services and user-accessible applications.
3. Ransomware Protection - Network Segmentation
Network segmentation is the division of individual parts of a network, allowing you to isolate specific systems from each other. To secure data, you can, for example, separate the guest network, the corporate network, and the monitoring network. If one of these becomes infected, the others will remain safe.
Experts recommend ensuring logical or physical separation between different departments or units of the company. This will effectively limit the impact of a potential infection. Furthermore, you can control access levels to specific information and only share it with those with appropriate permissions.
4. Ransomware Protection - Inventory of Publicly Accessible Services
Ransomware attacks most often occur via services publicly accessible via the internet. Therefore, it is crucial for every company to list the services available online and determine the current status of the software that provides these services online. It is essential to implement an appropriate password policy and two-factor authentication.
It is important to verify that online services are actually updated to the latest version and that they are being provided appropriately. Effective data protection for remote access may also require additional measures to ensure a high level of security.
5. Ransomware Protection - Securing Potential Sources of Infection
Serious network infections most often begin with the infection of a single employee's computer. Therefore, it is essential to implement anti-spam filters based on the file extension type of the attachment, as well as to implement an appropriate security policy within the organization.
Ensuring cybersecurity from the user perspective (employees should know the basics), verifying suspicious attachment extensions, and checking for unreliable internet connections will protect against cyberattacks. Our proprietary training on phishing attacks will help you actively train, monitor, and test user awareness.
6. Ransomware Protection - Active Monitoring of Network Events
If you want to efficiently and effectively detect threats, don't forget about actively monitoring what's happening on your network. Store logs from networked devices in a secure place – send them from the devices to a central log server. To analyze them continuously, use IDS systems. Remember to keep the server logs for at least the last 14 days.
Want to implement effective solutions and protect your company against ransomware?
Trust the experts! Contact us to implement modern Veeam and Veeam Cloud Connect solutions that will help you secure your data.
We've been operating since 2002, and today, Online Support has over 200 satisfied customers who consider our comprehensive IT services to be their number one priority. If you're interested in cybersecurity and want your employees to become more informed internet users, we invite you to explore our cybersecurity training offerings.
We also recommend other components of our offering, such as cloud data backup, which will further protect your company's sensitive data. You can also implement Microsoft cloud solutions that will enhance your organization's IT security. To learn more, send us an email or simply call; you can find our contact details here.
our
support.
What IT solutions do we use at Support Online?
When is it worth using an IT company?
Why is it worth hiring an IT company rather than a freelance IT specialist?
What are the advantages of working with IT Support Online?
An IT company, or IT firm, deals with information technology in a broad sense. This includes, among other things:
- Software design and development: An IT company can create custom applications for other companies or software products for the mass market. Depending on their specialization, these can include mobile applications, desktop applications, web applications, or embedded systems.
- Consulting services: An IT company often provides experts to advise on implementing new technologies, optimizing business processes, or selecting appropriate technological solutions.
- Cloud solutions: Many IT companies specialize in implementing and managing cloud solutions, such as data storage, application hosting, and data analysis platforms.
- IT security: Protection against cyberattacks, security audits, implementing security policies, and network monitoring are just some of the IT companies' responsibilities in this area.
- IT infrastructure management: In this area, a company may manage servers, databases, networks, and endpoints.
- Technical Support and Service: An IT company may provide support for its own products or general IT support for other companies, managing their technology on a daily basis.
- Training: Many IT providers also offer training in software use and secure technology use.
- Hardware Solutions: Some IT companies may also provide and configure computer, server, or network hardware.
Depending on their specialization and size, an IT company may offer one, several, or all of the above solutions. When choosing a provider, it's important to thoroughly understand their services and tailor them to your individual needs.
At Support Online, we have been supporting companies for years with
- comprehensive user support (both on-site and remotely),
- we service computers, phones, tablets, and related network issues,
- we specialize in server administration: Windows, Linux/Unix,
- we support virtualizers such as KVM, Hyper-V, VMWare, and Proxmox,
- we support cloud services, particularly solutions such as Azure, Microsoft 365, and AWS,
- we monitor servers and devices on the internet,
- we consult on development, DRP, and support the stability of your business in the IT layer.
If you're looking for a good IT company, Support Online is the right place to grow your business.
It's worth using an IT company like Support Online when:
- You plan to implement new technologies or software in your company.
- You need specialized technology consulting.
- You want to optimize existing IT processes.
- You struggle with digital security issues.
- You need support in managing your IT infrastructure.
- You lack internal resources or expertise to implement certain technology projects.
Using external IT experts can bring benefits in terms of saving time and resources, and ensuring high-quality solutions.
Hiring an IT company like Support Online offers several key benefits over an IT freelancer:
- Support from the entire team: An IT company has a full team of specialists, from DevOps specialists and Cyber Security Specialists to IT Helpdesk Specialists, who possess diverse skills and experience, enabling faster problem resolution and the implementation of more complex projects.
- Reliability and stability: IT companies have an established reputation and track record, which can translate into greater reliability and stability of services.
- Maintenance and support: An IT company can offer service contracts, warranties, and after-sales support, which may be more difficult to obtain from an individual freelancer.
- Resources: Companies have access to more resources, tools, and technologies that can accelerate and improve project execution.
- Long-term availability: The risk of a freelancer disappearing or changing careers is greater than the risk of a well-established company going out of business.
However, it's worth noting that the choice between a company and a freelancer depends on your specific needs and situation. If you value peace of mind and a quick response to unexpected problems, it is worth choosing an IT company such as Support Online.
Partnering with IT Support Online offers the following advantages:
- Professional IT outsourcing: The company guarantees high-quality IT outsourcing services for businesses of all sizes.
- Comprehensive IT support: IT Support Online provides comprehensive IT support that meets the diverse needs of businesses.
- Saves time and money: With our support, clients can focus on their core business activities while reducing the costs associated with information technology management.
- Serving a diverse range of businesses: The company specializes in serving both small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations, demonstrating its flexibility and ability to adapt to diverse client needs.
- Leadership in IT outsourcing: The company is recognized as a leader in IT outsourcing, particularly in the Poznań and Warsaw regions.
By partnering with our company, IT Support Online, businesses can count on a high standard of service and professionalism at every stage of the relationship.
